Optogenetic approaches to control Ca2+-modulated physiological processes. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • As a versatile intracellular second messenger, calcium ion (Ca2+) regulates a plethora of physiological processes. To achieve precise control over Ca2+ signals in living cells and organisms, a set of optogenetic tools have recently been crafted by engineering photosensitive domains into intracellular signaling proteins, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and Ca2+ channels. We highlight herein the optogenetic engineering strategies, kinetic properties, advantages and limitations of these genetically-encoded Ca2+ channel actuators (GECAs) and modulators. In parallel, we present exemplary applications in both excitable and non-excitable cells and tissues. Furthermore, we briefly discuss potential solutions for wireless optogenetics to accelerate the in vivo applications of GECAs under physiological conditions, with an emphasis on integrating near-infrared (NIR) light-excitable upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and bioluminescence with optogenetics.

published proceedings

  • Curr Opin Physiol

altmetric score

  • 0.75

author list (cited authors)

  • Nguyen, N. T., Ma, G., Zhou, Y., & Jing, J. i.

citation count

  • 17

complete list of authors

  • Nguyen, Nhung T||Ma, Guolin||Zhou, Yubin||Jing, Ji

publication date

  • January 2020